Boy, 3, in critical condition after pool incident

A three-year-old Tipperary boy remained in a critical condition last night after getting into difficulty in a hotel pool on holiday in East Cork.

He was transferred by ambulance to Temple Street Children’s University Hospital in Dublin last night, a few hours after being taken to a Cork City hospital.

The boy was found face-down in the water shortly before 2pm at the Quality Hotel Youghal’s 20-metre pool.

He is understood to be one of three children staying with their parents since Sunday at the hotel, which overlooks Redbarn beach near Youghal.

It is understood the pool was quiet at the time and that he entered the water alone on leaving the changing area. It is thought he was in the water for less than five minutes when he was spotted by nearby swimmers.

They took him from the water with the help of lifeguards, one of whom performed CPR in a desperate attempt to resuscitate the child. He was then taken by coastguard helicopter to Cork University Hospital, accompanied by a local doctor.

The child was enrolled in a kids’ activity camp at the hotel but it is understood that he was not engaged in a camp activity at the time of the incident. Shocked staff were praying for the boy’s recovery last night as they continued their duties.

“This is a very friendly, family-orientated hotel and everyone is quite upset. We desperately hope the little boy recovers,” said a staff member.

The pool is expected to remain closed for several days as gardaí investigate the incident.